Financial constraints may deter many dancers and would-be dance teachers from attending Summer School, organising local teacher-training classes or dance events, or participating in other RSCDS activities. The RSCDS offers various scholarships and funding schemes to provide assistance.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Derek & Maureen Haynes Memorial Fund in particular, many young dancers and musicians (aged 35 and under) are supported to attend Summer School. The RSCDS also offers a small number of scholarships to help young dancers and musicians attend youth events, classes, schools or workshops run by RSCDS Branches anywhere in the world.
What does the scholarship cover?
The scholarships typically cover the full or half costs of residential and course fees at events and dance schools (plus examination fees where applicable). Travel expenses are not typically covered. Dancers are also encouraged to inquire within their Branch for available financial support.
For dancers who are members of the International Branch they can investigate their suitability to apply for support via the Susi Mayr Fund which can be viewed on the International Branch website. The RSCDS Youth Branch also offers travel grants to its members to attend events, so we encourage you to get in touch with the Youth Branch to find out more.
We have a number of scholarships available for Summer School 2026. Unless applying to attend a teaching certificate course, the funding will be for up to a maximum of one week’s residency at Summer School.
Summer School Scholarship applications are currently closed.
The Family Scholarship enables a family to come to Summer School during the Youth Week 2nd August – 9th August 2026 (Week 3). The Scholarship will cover the cost of one week residential or non-residential Summer School fees, for a maximum of 2 adults and 2 young dancers.
The following criteria will apply:
Family Scholarship applications for Summer School are currently closed.
Teaching Scholarships are available for those wishing to take the Teaching Certificate Part 1 (Units 2 and 3) or Part 2 (Unit 5) at Summer School.
Scholarships typically cover residential, course and examination fees.
Teaching Certificate Scholarship applications for Summer School are currently closed.
The Society typically offers up to four scholarships to assist overseas teacher candidates to travel to schools outside Scotland.
Apply for one of these scholarships via JMMF Online application form.
Spring Fling is an event for dancers aged 35 or under. Scholarships to attend Spring Fling are typically offered annually by the Youth Services Committee who select the recipients.
The scholarships are open to members of the RSCDS and to non-members. Applicants should be 35 and under, with preference given to those 25 and under. Only residential (accommodation) and course fees are covered by the Scholarships; travelling expenses are not covered.
The application should be supported by a short statement from the applicant, outlining the financial need and stating briefly why the applicant would like to attend Spring Fling.
If successful, it is a condition of the award that a short report, maximum 500 words, must be submitted to the Youth Services Committee. The report, or extracts from it, may be featured in the Scottish Country Dancer, Dance Scottish Together or published on the RSCDS website or social media platforms.
Spring Fling and Southern Fling Scholarship applications are currently closed.
Derek and Maureen Haynes were, as individuals and as a couple, a wonderful asset to Scottish Dancing. They were both superb dancers and gifted teachers and, in Derek’s case, an ingenious dance devisor. They gave freely of their time and talents to encourage others to enjoy this activity we all love.
Following Derek’s death in 2005, Maureen generously set up The Derek Haynes Annual Scholarship and many young dancers have benefited from this opportunity of a scholarship to attend Summer School.
Following her death in 2019, Maureen left a very generous legacy to the RSCDS which has added significant funds to the Derek Haynes Memorial fund and now their combined legacy will allow many more young people (aged 35 and under) to attend Summer School as a participant on either dancing or music courses or to train as a Scottish Country Dance teacher.
Derek & Maureen Haynes Memorial fund Scholarship applications for Summer School are currently closed.
The JMMF offers a limited number of individual member scholarships in addition to various funding support opportunities for Branches. For more information on the JMMF visit our Funding page.
Apply for one of these scholarships via JMMF Online application form.
For Winter School applications, applicants must be 35 or under at the start of Winter School, must not have previously attended Winter School and must minimally dance at Intermediate level. The Scholarship covers bed & breakfast and dinner at the Atholl Palace Hotel, all tuition and the final ball at Blair Castle. The applicants must be willing to be involved in RSCDS marketing, and provide a short report on their experience of Winter School.
Winter School 2027
We are delighted to offer scholarship places to Winter School 2027. These places are designed to help dancers under the age of 35 attend Winter School to develop their dancing skills and knowledge and interact with Scottish Country Dancers from all over the world.
Apply for the Winter School Scholarship via the Winter School 2027 Scholarship application form.
Scholarship applications are open to family groups where at least 1 young dancer (under 18) and 1 adult (18+) are attending the Families and Friends weekend.
Maximum of 2 adults and 2 young dancers. Intended for dependent(s) dancer(s), and their parent(s)/legal guardian(s). Young dancer(s) must be under 18 years old.
Apply for Families and Friends Weekend: The Hill Family Scholarship by contacting [email protected].
Watch a vlog from a 2025 Scholarship recipient Antonia McClintock.
Please read the frequently asked questions before applying for a scholarship.
Applicants, apart from the second Aitkenhead scholarship, must be aged 16 years or older by Summer School, to benefit from a scholarship.
Any applicant under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Any applicants under the age of 16 at the time of application, must have their form signed by a parent or guardian.
It is not necessary, when filling out the form, to state which scholarship you are applying for; you should simply choose between teaching, dance and musician scholarships, and awards will be made subject to demand and availability.
Unsuccessful applicants will still be able to get the early bird price.
Additionally, you can help spread the cost if you choose to pay via Paypal at time of booking. You can select ‘Pay Later’ and you won’t pay any interest on your balance for 4 months.
